God’s blessings as you begin a new year with all the possibilities of new
purposes, goals, & venture. we need to renew our commitment for oneness and togetherness although we speak different language and hail from different parts of the world. We are here to recognize the fact that Christ is ONE.

As we begin this year, many promises in the scripture helps us to realize
That we are here with a purpose. – Grace – sustains In the uncertainties of this world,
we have a god who is certain.
2009 was a gloomy year – financially. Recession. Job cuts, pay cuts,
Cancellation of visas, unemployment etc etc
We have come out of it and we have entered 2010 – which means god has
a plan for you and me.
How are you doing so far? This is January there is a biblical
perspective we need to remember at the beginning of a new year.
It’s a perspective that’s wrapped up in one simple word. If you
remember not to use this particular word this year, your chances of
succeeding are going to go through the roof. Now to cut this word
right out of your vocabulary.
The word is “can’t”.
That’s right. The one word you shouldn’t say in 2010 is the little
word can’t .We use it all the time, don’t we? We say, “I can’t lose
weight.” “I just can’t seem to save money.” “I try and try but I
can’t find the time to read the Bible.” “After what she did, I can’t
forgive her.” “No matter how hard I try, I can’t change.”

The Most Destructive Word
I think you can make a persuasive case that “can’t” is the single
most destructive word in the English language.
*It destroys motivation.
*It shifts responsibility.
*It denies reality.
When you say “can’t"—especially with reference to the problems
of life—you are simply giving up without a fight. You are walking
off the field, turning in your uniform, resigning your commission
and admitting defeat—all without a battle. You are saying, “I’ve
lost and it’s not even worth trying.”

My whole goal in this sermon is to convince you that you can.
firmly believe that this year you can do everything God intends for
you to do. No matter how hard, no matter how difficult, no matter
how impossible things may seem right now. If God wants you to do
it, in 2010  you can!
The verse is Philippians 4:13. It reads like this “I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.” I call this the principle of Personal Desire. Before
you can, you must want to. Before the deed, there must be the
desire. In order to accomplish your goals in 2010, you’ve got to
decide what it is you truly want to do. Can you really do “all things” in 2010.
II. You Can If God Wants You To.
This is the principle of Divine Direction. It is clearly stated in the
text. “I can do all things through Christ.” This verse is not a blank
check. Then verse 13—"I have learned through the power of Jesus
Christ that I can face whatever comes my way.” If it’s good, I can
enjoy it. If it’s not so good, I can deal with it. Why? Because I have
access to the everlasting strength of Jesus Christ.
Through Jesus Christ you can do everything God wants you to do this
year. You can face everything he wants you to face, you can fight
every battle he wants you to fight, you can obey every command,
you can endure every trial, and you can overcome every temptation through Jesus Christ.

“If God Is In It, You Can Do It”

III. You Can If You Rely on Jesus Christ.
This is the principle of Divine Enablement.
IV. You Can If You Start Today and Don’t Look Back.
This is the principle of the Personal Choice. One question: Which
way are you going this year? Are you going backwards into 2009 or
are you going forward into 2010? Your answer makes all the
difference. So many people I know live in the past, worry about the
past, fret over the past. Forget it! 2009 is over, done, gone,
finished. It’s never coming back. You can’t go back even if you
want to. The old year is over, the new one is dawning. Wrap up the
old year and give it to the Lord. Then strike out in 2010 to do great
things for God.
*Personal Desire
*Divine Direction
*Divine Enablement
*Personal Choice
Notice that the first one is personal, the next two are divine, and
the last one is personal. There’s perfect balance here. Two depend
on you, two depend on God. Does it depend on you? Yes. Does it
depend on God? Yes. Think of the verse this way: “I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me.” It begins with I, ends
with me, and Jesus Christ is in the middle.
STORY- The Little Engine That Could
The boys and girls in the town on the other side of the big
mountain were waiting for the train to bring them their toys. But to
get to the town, you had to go up, up, up the mountain and then
down, down, down the other side. Not an easy thing to do. When
the train with the toys came to the last stop before the mountain,
the engine broke. What to do? The engineer went looking for
another engine to carry the train with the toys over the mountain
to the boys and girls on the other side.
So he went to the roundhouse and talked to several engines but no
one was interested. One big shiny engine said he only carried
passenger trains. The big diesel locomotive didn’t want to bother
with a load of toys. One by one all the big engines said no. Then
from a corner came a voice, “I’ll do it.” It was a little switch engine.
“I’ll do it. I’ll carry the train with the toys over the mountain to the
boys and girls on the other side.” “But you’re much too small.”
“I’m willing to give it a try.”
So they hooked the little engine up to the train with the toys. And
that’s where the drama begins. You remember how the little
engine began to gather steam for its climb up the mountain. Chug,
chug, chug. As it gathered speed, the little engine that could began
to say to itself, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can,” each time a
little faster than before. Up the mountain it went—"I think I can. I
think I can. I think I can.” At last, straining with every ounce of
energy, the train cleared the crest and started down the other side.
In the distance the children could see the train coming and they
were cheering and waving and dancing with delight. Down the
mountain comes the train—chug, chug, chug—with the little
engine saying to itself, “I thought I could. I thought I could. I
thought I could.”
Most of you right now are on the other side of the mountain. Some
of you are facing marital mountains, some financial mountains,
some career mountains, some health mountains. Some of you are
facing tasks that are so difficult that it seems impossible. The
mountain seems so high, so forbidding, that you are tempted to
give up without even trying.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME
Amen.

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Many years ago a man hired an experienced guide to lead him on a hike into the Swiss Alps. After many hours they came to a high and remote mountain pass. To the man’s dismay, he saw that the path had almost been washed out. What could he do? To the left was a sheer rock cliff, to his right a precipice that dropped nearly 1000 feet. Looking down, the man felt his head growing faint and his knees beginning to buckle. At that moment his guide shouted, “Do not look down or you are a dead man. Keep your eyes on me, and where I put my feet, put yours there as well.” The man did as he was instructed and soon he passed from danger to safety.

This is good advice for the beginning of a New Year. No one knows what
lies ahead for any of us. We all have our plans and dreams but the times
and seasons of life are in God’s hands. Sooner or later we will all come
to a dangerous pass where the way ahead seems to be washed out. At that moment we can panic and fall into terrible trouble. Or we can fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ and mark carefully his steps before us. If we will follow him, we will find at the end of this year that we have been kept safe by his amazing grace.

“But now you will see for yourselves that the Lord your God will go ahead of you like a raging fire. He will defeat them as you advance, so that you will drive them out and destroy them quickly, as he promised.  (Deuteronomy 9:3)
The Lord says, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:27).

Directions to Look for God.
1.  Look Back.
 “ …. my brothers, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble ,right, pure, lovely, and honourable. (Philippians 4:8)

Take the time to look back over the past year and identify those times in which you had evidence of faith in overcoming doubt, sin, unbelief or anything else.  As you look back and see how the Hand of God was at work in your deliverance, take the time to give Him thanks for all that He did.
“ The righteous will praise you indeed; they will live in your presence. (Psalm 140:13)
You will experience a fresh sense of His presence preparing you for what's yet ahead in this coming New Year.
2.  Look Inward.
   “Sincerity and truth are what you require; fill my mind with your wisdom.  Remove my sin, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; and though you have crushed me and broken me, I will be happy once again.   (Psalm 51:6-8)
Take stock of yourself - look at your relationship with God and with others and your stewardship over all that God has given to you.  Hold each area of your life alongside God’s standards and pray to grow in faithfulness and holiness.
“Examine me, O God, and know my mind; test me, and discover my thoughts.  Find out if there is any evil in me and guide me in the everlasting way.   ( Psalm 139:23-24)
As you take the time to look inward you will be blessed and encouraged when you see the many areas where you did well and you will sense great hope when you sense God’s help, encouragement and leading in overcoming those areas that you failed in.  Be honest with God and yourself and you shall experience a great refreshing from Him that will give you the enthusiasm you need to change.
3.  Look To Jesus.
“As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses round us.  So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.  Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.  He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right- hand side of God’s throne”. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Since Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith In the midst of temptations, problems, difficulties, sorrows, various tasks and opportunities that will surely come your way during this coming year, stay focused on Jesus, who is the Author and Finisher of your faith.  He is there to hope you through any circumstance you may encounter.
“The Lord protects and defends me; I trust in him. He gives me help and makes me glad; I praise him with joyful songs.  (Psalm 28:7)
4.  Look To The World.
Look at the world through the eyes of Jesus and serve them with love and compassion.  Getting involved in the Lord’s harvest of souls keeps you in the presence of God.
“ you have a saying, ‘Four more months and then the harvest’. But I tell you, take a good look at the fields; the crops are now ripe and ready to be harvested!...”(John 4:35)
5.  Look Forward.
“ And so I am sure that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus”.  (Philippians 1:6)
Because God will be with us, we can look to each new day with keen anticipation.  Faith calls us to move into this new year –  to face problems, undertake tasks, meet emergencies, and dedicate ourselves to the opportunities the year will present.  We can go forth with confidence knowing that God is at work in us we are His children who will be led by Him in our journey from day to day.
“ A nation without God’s guidance is a nation without order. Happy is the man who keeps God’s law!..”( Proverbs 29:18)
You can enter this New Year with a sense of God’s presence if you look to Him in each of these directions.  He is there to help you through every trial, temptation and task no matter what it is.  He is all-sufficient for you this year.  So let each of us resolve to “run with patience the race that is set before us,” looking to Jesus to find the way.  He’s there to meet you each and every step of the way.    Amen.

Come, Holy Spirit,
Spirit of the Risen Christ, be with us today and always.
Be our Light, our Guide, and our Comforter.
Be our Strength, our Courage, and our Sanctifier.
May this new year be a time of deep spiritual growth for us,
A time of welcoming your graces and gifts,
A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally,
A time for growing in virtue and goodness.
Come, Holy Spirit,
Be with us today and always. Amen.

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Two old friends bump into one another on the street one day.  The first guy looks like he is carrying the weight of the whole world on his shoulders.  His face is downcast.  His spirit is heavy.  He is almost on the verge of tears. 
So his buddy asks him, “What has this world done to you, old friend?
What’s happened?”
The sad fellow says, “You wouldn’t believe it.  It’s awful.  Three weeks ago,
an uncle died and left me $40,000.”“Ok,” nodded the friend. 
“That’s a lot of money!” “Yes, it is,” said the sad fellow.  “And that’s not all. 
Two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and he left me $85,000 - free
and clear.” “Wow!” gasped the friend.  “It sounds like you’ve really been blessed.”
“But you don’t understand,” protested this teary-eyed man.  “Last week, my great-aunt passed away and I inherited a quarter of a million dollars.”
By now the second guy is totally confused.  He throws his hands in the air and says,
“So why do you look so glum?”
And the first guy says disgustedly, “Well, this week—nothing!  Nothing! I’ve received nothing!”
That’s the problem with receiving something on a regular basis. 
Even if it’s a gift…we come to expect it…and somehow it loses its wonder and its joy.
One of the Church Fathers, Saint Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan, put it like this:
“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.”
First, Ask God For A Thankful Heart.  William Shakespeare once wrote,
“O Lord, that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.” 
 Second -The Time, Even This Morning, To Remember Your Blessings. 
Someone has put it like this:
“Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.”
Ask God for a thankful heart.  Spend time this morning remembering all of your blessings.
Three- Determine To Be Thankful Whether You Feel Like It Or Not. 
Being thankful is a choice—a product of the will.  There is always something you can complain about.  There is also always something for which we can be grateful.  The choice is yours.  But only the thankful heart is a happy and healthy heart.

In Our Daily Bread, Philip Parham tells the story of a rich industrialist who was disturbed to find a fisherman sitting lazily beside his boat.
"Why aren't you out there fishing?" he asked.
"Because I've caught enough fish for today," said the fisherman.
"Why don't you catch more fish than you need?" the rich man demanded.
"What would I do with them?"
"You could earn more money," came the impatient reply, "and buy a better boat so you could go deeper and catch more fish.  You could purchase nylon nets, catch even more fish, and make more money.  Soon you'd have a fleet of boats and be rich like me."
"Then what would I do?" the fisherman asked.
"You could sit down and enjoy life," said the industrialist.
To which the fisherman replied, "What do you think I'm doing now?"

Our present greed crowds our past needs out of our memory and stifles the
promise of the future.
How do you remember to give thanks to God?  What do you do with your thanksgiving once you remember?
when you remember God’s name, remember to give thanks. To Give thanks you don’t have to be perfect, Just say thank you Lord for all the mercies received.

Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God. Ps:147:1

Amen .

***********************************************************************
We need God’s resources to bear fruit.  But where we place our roots is paramount.
Only as we grow them deeply into the spiritual resources of God’s grace will we produce fruit.  Make the Bible your spiritual resource. Delight in it and feed your soul with its truth. God can use you to help win the lost.

A tree is a blessing.  It holds soil, provides shade and produces fruit.  The godly are like trees, with root systems that go deep into the spiritual resources of God’s grace.  But sadly many professing Christians are not like trees but are like artificial plants or cut flowers with no roots.  They may be beautiful for a while, but soon they die.

A tree needs light, water and roots to live. We all have resources upon which we
draw life. The question we need to ask ourselves is, where are our roots? The person God can bless is planted by the rivers of water.  We must be careful not to be like Christians who are dry and withered and depend upon their own resources. 

To have the blessings of verse 3, we need to meet the conditions of verse 1 and 2.  That is, we must first be separated from the world and saturated with the Word to be situated by the waters.

God desires to bless us, but we need to meet certain conditions to receive His blessings.  We bear fruit only when we have roots, and we must draw upon spiritual resources to bring forth fruit in due season.  To bear the fruit of the Spirit, we must allow the Spirit to work in us and through us.

In contrast to the believers, the ungodly are not like trees but are like chaff. They have no roots, produce no fruit and are blown about.  The ungodly reject the Word of God and will perish without hope.  As Christians we must not reject the ungodly but try to reach them.  God blesses us so that we might be a blessing to others.  His Spirit helps us bear fruit that can help win the lost.

Are you like a tree or life chaff?
***********************************************************************
We need God’s resources to bear fruit.  But where we place our roots is paramount.
Only as we grow them deeply into the spiritual resources of God’s grace will we produce fruit.  Make the Bible your spiritual resource. Delight in it and feed your soul with its truth. God can use you to help win the lost.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

 THE ROAD TO SUCCESS IS NOT STRAIGHT.

THERE IS A CURVE CALLED FAILURE.

A LOOP CALLED CONFUSION,

SPEED BUMPS CALLED FRIENDS,

RED LIGHTS CALLED ENEMIES,

CAUTION LIGHTS CALLED FAMILY.

YOU WILL HAVE FLATS CALLED JOBS.

BUT, IF YOU HAVE A SPARE CALLED DETERMINATION,

AN ENGINE CALLED PERSEVERANCE,

INSURANCE CALLED FAITH,

A DRIVER CALLED JESUS,

YOU WILL MAKE IT TO A PLACE CALLED SUCCESS!

“BEHIND EVERY PROBLEM I FACE, LIES THE PURPOSE OF GOD”.

WORRY IS LIKE A ROCKING CHAIR:
IT GIVES YOU SOMETHING TO DO,
BUT DOESN’T GET YOU ANYWHERE.

Casting the whole of your care (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your
concerns, once and for all) on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and
cares about you watchfully. (I Peter 5:7)

Shepherd: In Israel, the job of shepherd was considered one of the lowest and was despised by most. Shepherds were looked down upon by society's upper crust. The job of shepherd was described as 'unclean' by Rabbinic law and was avoided by all but the lowest of Israelites.
Jehovah God! Your heavenly Father, the great God of the Universe. The timeless and all sufficient One took on the undesirable job of shepherd to His chosen people.
The Good Shepherd Jesus Christ has all the shepherd qualities and characteristics described in Psalm 23. He is the great I AM
What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!
Shepherds (as) Rescuers
A sheep is a beautiful, gentle, humble, and—contrary to popular opinion—quite an intelligent animal. But unlike other animals, it has no sense of direction and no instinct for finding its way home. A sheep can be totally lost within a few miles of its home.
Lost sheep usually will walk around in endless circles, in a state of confusion, unrest,
and even panic.
When Jesus saw the spiritually disoriented, confused, and lost crowds, He likened them to sheep without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36). The prophet Isaiah described lost men as those who, like sheep, have gone astray—each one turning to his own way (Isa. 53:6). Like lost sheep, lost people need a rescuer to lead them to the safety of the fold.
Shepherds (as) Leaders
Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of My pasture. . . . You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not attended to them; behold, I am about to attend to you for the evil of your deeds.
Shepherds (as) Guardians
Sheep spend most of their lives eating and drinking, but they are indiscriminate about what they consume. They don't know the difference between poisonous and non-poisonous plants. Therefore their diet must be carefully guarded by the shepherd.
Shepherds (as) Protectors
Sheep are almost entirely defenseless. They can't kick, scratch, bite, jump, or run. They need a protective shepherd to be assured of survival. When attacked by a predator, they huddle together rather than running away. That makes them easy prey.
Shepherds (as) Comforters
Sheep lack a self-preservation instinct. They are so humble and meek that if you mistreat them, they are easily crushed in spirit and can simply give up and die. The shepherd must know his sheep's individual temperaments and take care not to inflict excessive stress.

We sheep do not own the Shepherd, but the Shepherd owns the sheep.
(There once was a Shakespearean actor who was known everywhere for his one-man shows of readings and recitations from the classics. He would always end his performance with a reading of Psalm 23.)
Each night, without exception, as the actor began his recitation--"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want" ... the crowd would listen attentively. And then, at the conclusion of the psalm, they would rise in thunderous applause in appreciation of the actor's incredible ability to bring the verse to life.
But one night, just before the actor was to offer his customary recital of Psalm 23, a young man from the audience spoke up. "Sir, do you mind if tonight I recite Psalm 23"?
The actor was quite taken aback by this unusual request, but he allowed the young man to come forward and stand front and center on the stage to recite the Psalm, knowing that the ability of this unskilled youth would be no match for his own talent.

With a soft voice, the young man began to recite the words of the Psalm. When he was finished, there was no applause. There was no standing ovation as on other nights. All that could be heard was the sound of weeping. The audience had been so moved by the young man's recitation that every eye was full of tears.

Amazed by what he had heard, the actor said to the youth, "I don't understand. I have been performing Psalm 23 for years. I have a lifetime of experience and training-but I have never been able to move an audience as you have tonight. Tell me, what is your secret?"

THE YOUNG MAN QUIETLY REPLIED, "WELL SIR, YOU KNOW THE PSALM....
I KNOW THE SHEPHERD."
That shepherd is Jesus Christ. Trust Him, depend on Him
when your future seems unclear,
when your life seems ready to fall apart,
when you are weak, struggling, doubting...

The Great Shepherd will bring you rest and spiritual nourishment,
He will restore your soul and set your feet on the right path.
That is the promise of Psalm 23.
Amen

Lord's Supper is used directly in 1 Corinthians 11:20 to describe this ceremony of remembrance. This word is common in most denominations. The term Last
Supper refers to the historical event which took place the day before Jesus'
crucifixion at which he instituted or began the practice of the Lord's Supper.
How Is Christ Present in Communion?
Jesus' words: "This is my body." Is the "is" literal or figurative? Is Jesus teaching an exact correspondence between the bread and his body, or a metaphorical relationship between the two?
THE MEANING OF THE SUPPER
A. IT IS A MEMORIAL...
1. Note Paul's account as given by the Lord Himself - 1 Cor. 11: 23-25
a. We eat the bread in memory of His body
b. We drink the cup (fruit of the vine) in memory of His blood
2. We therefore commemorate the death of Jesus on the cross - Mt 26:28
a. Whose death make the new covenant possible - He 9:16
b. Whose blood was shed for the remission of sins - Ep 1:7
As the Passover was a memorial commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt through the blood of the lambs on the door post, so the Supper is a memorial of our Lord's death who makes our deliverance from the bondage of sin possible
B. IT IS A PROCLAMATION...
1. We proclaim our faith in the efficacy of the Lord's death
- 1 Cor. 11:26a
a. That His death was indeed for our sins
b. If we don't believe He died for our sins, why keep the Supper?
2. We also proclaim our faith in the Lord's return - 1 Cor. 11:26b
a. For it is to be done "till He comes"
b. If we don't believe He is coming, then why keep the Supper?
Thus the Lord's Supper looks forward as well as backward, and will ever
be observed by His disciples who trust in His redemption and anticipate
His return!
C. IT IS A COMMUNION...
1. A fellowship or sharing in the blood of Christ - 1 Cor 10:16a
a. As we partake, we commune with the blood of Christ
b. Perhaps in the sense of reinforcing blessings we enjoy
through the blood of Christ - . 1 Jn 1:7,9
2. A fellowship or sharing in the body of Christ - 1 Co 10:16b-17
a. As we partake, we commune with the body of Christ
b. Perhaps in the sense of reinforcing fellowship together in
the body of Christ (i.e., the church), as we break bread together
The extent to which we share in the body and blood of the Lord
as we partake may be uncertain, but dare we neglect whatever
may be the benefits of that communion?
D. THE OBSERVANCE OF THE SUPPER

       A. TO BE DONE WITH REVERENCE...
       B. TO BE DONE WITH SELF-EXAMINATION...
       C. TO BE DONE WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS...

We commune not just with the Lord, but with one another
Christians today should never lose sight of its significance for us...
    a. A constant reminder of the great sacrifice Jesus paid for our sins
    b. A communion or sharing of the body and blood of the Lord
    c. A time for self-examination and rededication of our service to the Lord
   d. A means for building fellowship with one another in the body of Christ

    * As we partake of the Lord's Supper we bear witness to the unity of the
      body of Christ.
   * There are no "superiors" or inferiors" at the Lord's Table. "The ground is
      level at the foot of the cross."
   * The Supper is a call to unity.

   * The Lord's table should prevent all bitterness and backbiting among those
      who share a place in the body of Christ.
*    It should promote greater love among us.

SHALOM

Hudson Taylor was scheduled to speak at a Large Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia. The moderator of the service introduced the missionary in eloquent and glowing terms. He told the large congregation all that Taylor had accomplished in
China, and then presented him as "our illustrious guest." Taylor stood quietly for a moment, and then opened his message by saying, "Dear friends, I am the little servant
of an illustrious Master."
1. SUNDAY - THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY (MARK 11:1-11)
A. Jesus goes to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover
B. Donkey - symbolic of one coming in peace, not a warrior king
C. Hosanna (vs. 9) - literal meaning "save now" both a prayer for help
    and a shout of victory
D. Blessed is he who comes (vs. 9) - a technical phrase for the Messiah
E. Blessed is the coming kingdom (vs. 10) - people expressing
     their expectations of Jesus as He enters Jerusalem

The Preparation for the King 11:1-6
1.1 Jesus - The Deliberate Intent
This journey on Palm Sunday was no accident or whim. This is obvious from the clear instructions to the disciples on what to do. Jesus rode into Jerusalem by his own free will and upon His own initiative. Deliberate intent.
1.2 Jesus - The Prophetic Fulfillment
Jesus was making a statement - a deliberate claim to be the anointed One. The quotation is from Zechariah 9 and is steeped in significance. Zechariah is a message about a king who would be rejected, but a rejected king who would nevertheless be enthroned. We see here then how He who inspired the prophecy, came to fulfill it. Deliberate Intent and Prophetic Fulfillment.
1.3 Jesus - The Unquestioned Authority
Some commentators have suggested that Jesus had simply booked the donkey for this ride. Jesus spoke with unquestioned authority because He is king and everything belongs to Him. Jesus was not intimidated or afraid of what was going to happen. Jesus had every excuse to avoid Jerusalem at this time, but no. We find everything He did, especially in that last week, was done with deliberate intent, in fulfillment of the Scriptures and with unquestioned authority. The King of the Universe was in control.
2. The Presentation to the King 11:7-11
We know this story so well, I simply want to pick out one word to give us a different perspective. In Matthew's account he tells us that the whole of Jerusalem was "stirred" The Greek word is the one from which we obtain our word "seismic". Jesus arrival in Jerusalem had the impact of an earthquake. It was as if a psychological earthquake measuring 9 on the Richter scale had hit the city. Jerusalem was the epicenter. The presence of Jesus shook the city to its very foundations. Here was their King,
riding on a borrowed donkey, mobbed by unsophisticated fishermen and country Galileans. Defying the Church and State with palm branches and children's choruses. Jerusalem had never seen anything like it.
Within a week that earthquake would have torn the thick temple curtain from top to bottom. No longer would access to God be limited by race and ritual. This was His intention, to compel Jerusalem to recognise Him, even if only for an hour. They had heard His teaching, seen His miracles, now He had come to claim His city. He would stir her as by an earthquake, offering a choice - peace and reconciliation or judgement and separation.
Jesus did so on Palm Sunday, and it led Him to the cross. The preparation for the King, the presentation to the King.
3. The Pronouncement of the King 11:12-19
Read passage. Here again we see the King asserting His royal authority. There is a magnificence and dignity even in His anger. Why did Jesus act in this way? Notice very carefully His own words. Read 11:17. Two quotations from the Old Testament prophecies are brought together. Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 vindicated His action, one descriptive of what the house should be - a house of prayer; the other descriptive of what the house had become - a den of robbers. The house that ought to be a house of prayer had become a den of robbers, in the area reserved for non-Jews - the Court of the Gentiles, denying the world access to God.
JESUS AS THE KING
o       A perfect king will establish justice, righting all wrongs; no evil
         will go unpunished

o       A perfect king will promote the general welfare

o      A perfect king protects his people from all enemies.

       Thus, Jesus as our king:
•      Unites us
•      Punishes all wrong
•      Works all things together for good
•      Controls even the forces of evil
May this triumphal entry of Jesus to Jerusalem is a reminder that this King would like to enter this world and bring peace and justice.

Amen.

Introduction to the passage:

If you will compare Psalm 14 to Psalm 53 you will notice they are almost word for word the same. There are, however, two important differences between the two Psalms. First of all, the name of God: the Hebrew of Psalm 14 uses "Yahweh" whereas the Hebrew of Psalm 53 uses "Elohim." Second, the purpose: Psalm 14 was written to assure a people facing their sin whereas Psalm 53 was written to assure a people facing a national calamity – that's why the two Psalms differ at verses 5 & 6.

The word fool in Psalms or Proverbs does not refer to an unintelligent person. It refers to a person who is morally perverse. Why is he a fool? Because "the fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God'" (v. 1). And what is the result of this? "They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good" (v. 1). God looks down and says, "Does anybody have a clean heart?" The answer is no.

The two words "there is" in verse 1 , which means they were added by the translators to help complete the meaning of the verse. We can read this: "The fool has said in his heart, 'No God.'" The fool not only says that there is no God; he also says no to God. When we say no to God, we are telling Him that we know more about life than He does and that we have more authority than He has. We cut off ourselves from the blessing He wants to give us.
Rejecting God involves a man's whole being. "The fool has said in his heart" (v. 1). There we have the heart. In verse 2 God looks down to see if any understand. That involves the mind. "They have all turned aside, . . . there is none who does good, no, not one" (v. 3). There we have the will. Verses 1-3 show the heart, mind and will possessed by sin, because somebody has said, "No God." If you want peace, say yes to God. All of His promises are yes in Jesus Christ (II Cor. 1:20).

The most foolish thing you can do is leave God out of your life. If you do, you cut off your source of life and blessing. Don't make the mistake of the fool. Turn to the Lord and submit to His authority.

Some of your greatest blessings come with patience. When you must wait for God to act, you can be confident that He knows what is best for you and what will best glorify Him. Are you waiting for God to act on your behalf? Align with His timings and rest on the promises of His word.
Amen.

I KINGS 19:1-4     ACTS 4:24 – 31      MATT 6:5 –8
Praying is a very important aspect of worship. But prayer in itself is not worship. Thoughts and deeds of love for the neighbor in daily life while respecting the Lord God--that is worship. Respecting and talking with God is only part of it.
We pray for many different reasons. Prayer is often occasioned by a natural disaster, a sickness, or the death of a relative or friend. We pray because we feel helpless in certain circumstances. We pray because we experience a realization that natural solutions have their limitations, and we are now looking for a spiritual connection in life. Or perhaps we are looking for a miracle.
A person gets a totally new outlook on life when he spends time in God’s presence. His priorities change as well as his desires and goals in life. And his disposition becomes kinder and more caring!

Prayer is our inner man crying out for help, fellowship and spiritual nourishment!
It is intimate fellowship on a “one-to-one basis” with God, through Jesus Christ our Lord!
WHEN WE PRAY, OUR TOTAL MAN BECOMES INVOLVED!
‘Prayer is talking, listening and communing with God as we enter into the very presence of the Almighty!’
‘PRAYER NOT ONLY CHANGES THINGS; IT CHANGES LIVES!’
Moving away from the success story, let us talk about Un answered .
The whole questions of un answered prayers.

1. The context of the prayer and the content of prayer
God looks at the context and not the content of your prayer.
Now in Elijah’s case look at the context –

He had prayed and God had instantly answered in the presence of thousands
of people proving once and for all that Jehovah was the one true God.
He just had a great victory.
Elijah had just seen the people turn from idol worship because of this—and obey his command to kill 850 false prophets of Baal and Asherath.
He had prayed again and a 3 year drought had ended.
(a) Jezebel’s threat Elijah’s fear

We See Elijah Running We See Elijah Retiring
WE SEE ELIJAH RATIONALIZING

The content of his prayer:
Elijah prayed that he might die. Broken, disappointed, frustrated, exhausted...
Elijah just doesn't care anymore, About himself, about the people,
He doesn't even care what God wants anymore.
He just wants to die.
He’s looking at his circumstances through his own eyes rather than through those of God. Rather than trusting the God. He’s failing to acknowledge, Isaiah 55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
God had much more work for Elijah to do so it was not in God's will for Elijah to die
at that time. In the end Elijah didn't die but was caught up into heaven by a whirlwind.
1 Kings 19:4; 2 Kings 2:11.

The heart of the problem is the human heart
1. He has forgotten the lessons he learned at the Brook Cherith, Zarephath and
Carmel. Remember the courage he had when he first stood before King Ahab?
At Cherith he learned to obey, he learned to trust God and he learned to be
patient. At Zarephath his faith had been strengthened though many tests.
At Carmel who stood alone in the gap and God honoured him and gave him
the victory. God has been so good to him. How could he now forget these
blessings?
2. He made himself more vulnerable by parting company with his servant.
He no longer had anyone to encourage him and loneliness set in. He was left
to feel sorry for himself. Left to slip into his own wee world of self-pity.
Was he disappointed in himself? - “for I am no better than my fathers” (v.4)
Was he disappointed in others? – “I alone am left” (v.10)

3. He stopped interceding for others and started requesting for himself,
a . HINDRANCE TO PRAYER IS SELFISHNESS AND EARTHLY DESIRE.
4. Elijah took his eyes off the Lord and focused instead on his own circumstances,
a. When we leave God and His power out of the picture, we are in trouble
1. Elijah cut himself off from those close to him, v. 3. As a result, he felt all alone

The prayer of man and the man of prayer

What the Church needs to-day is not more machinery , new organizations or novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use -- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men -- men of prayer.

Illustration: The story is told of a small town in which there were no liquor stores. Eventually, however, a nightclub was built right on Main Street. Members of one of the churches in the area were so disturbed that they conducted several all-night prayer meetings, and asked the Lord to burn down that den of iniquity. Lightning struck the tavern a short time later, and it was completely destroyed by fire. The owner, knowing how the church people had prayed, sued them for the damages. His attorney claimed that their prayers had caused the loss. The congregation, on the other hand, hired a lawyer and fought the charges. After much deliberation the judge declared, "It's the opinion of this court that wherever the guilt may lie, the tavern keeper is the one who really believes in prayer while the church members
do not!"

Dear Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, deepen and broaden our purposes in coming to you through prayer. Move us away from our tendency to focus on the worldly issues of material possessions and physical comforts for ourselves. Give us instead a spirit of love and concern for the people around us, so that our prayers may always be motivated by a desire to make people truly happy. When we pray for ourselves, may it be for continually being formed more fully in your image. When we pray for others, may it be not only for their happiness in this world, but also for the deeper happiness of communion with you--a happiness that lasts to eternity. And finally, Lord, may our prayers not be mere words that are quickly forgotten, but soul-changing openings to your love and wisdom working through us in new ways. Amen.

The significance of 40 days in the Bible.

1. Forty Years of Probation by Trial:
     Israel in the wilderness, Deuteronomy 8:2-5;

2. Forty Years of Probation by Prosperity in Deliverance and Rest:
    under Othniel, Judges 3:11, under Barak, Judges 5:31, under Gideon,
    Judges 8:28.
3. Forty Years of Probation by Prosperity in Enlarged Dominion:
    under David, 2Samuel 5:4, under Solomon, 1 Kings 11:42,
    under Jeroboam II. See 2 Kings 12:17,18, 13:3,5,7,22,25, 14:12-14,23,28,
    under Jehoash, 2 Kings 12:1, under Joash, 2Chronicles 24:1.
4. Forty Years of Probation by Humiliation and Servitude:
     Israel under the Philistines, Judges 13:1. Israel in the time of Eli, 1Samuel 4:18.
     Israel under Saul, Acts 13:21.
5. Forty Years of Probation by Waiting:
     Moses in Egypt, Acts 7:23. , Moses in Midian, Acts 7:30

    Our 40 Days…
* A time to ‘be there’ with God, (like Moses).
* A time to discover God’s purposes (Promised Land) for your life (like the spies).
* A time to silence and destroy the enemy’s harassment and taunting
    (like David over Goliath).
* A time of grace and opportunity for repentance and new direction
   (like Jonah & Nineveh).
* A time of anointing and strengthening against the enemy’stemptations
   (like Jesus in wilderness).
* A time of growing fellowship and instruction for ministry effectiveness as purpose
   is discovered and embraced (like Jesus & His disciples before His ascension).
* A time of spiritual growth and reaching out to people.
   HOW ARE WE GOING TO SPEND THIS LENTEN SEASON?
   MAY GOD GIVE US GRACE THAT WE MIGHT SPEND THE TIME PROFITABLY
   WITH A NEW VISION.

Ash Wednesday is a day when we say to God, "Here I am! Imperfect, incomplete, weak and broken, sorrowful and mourning. Here I am! Sinner and saint all rolled into one.
Here I am! Frightened and needy and uncertain. Here I am! Confessing and repentant, and hesitantly hopeful. Here I am! In the midst of ashes, cold, wasted, wanting.
Here I am! Looking for the fire of hope, the fire of forgiveness, the fire of love,
the fire of salvation. When we say to God, "Here I am! Mold me, make me, create
in a new heart in me."
We come to the altar to make our confession, to receive God's promise, to step out in faith that Christ walks with us, that the Spirit will guide us, and that God's love for us can rise up from the dark and ashes of Wednesday to become the bright and glorious day of Easter and the burning fire of Pentecost.

Most of us have traveled this road before. It's familiar landscape. How might it be different this time around?
What if we look at our journey through the eyes of our traveling companions?
What might we see in new ways if we ask of each step "what would Jesus notice here?" Will we just commute through Lent without being spiritually focused, aware, and intentional about our life journey ?

O Christ, our pioneer and pathfinder, Guide us as we go. Shape us by our exercise on the trail. Protect us from danger. Encourage us to make the best choices even when they aren't the easiest choices. Make each encounter with another be an exchange of grace. Show us what and who you see. And prepare us for our destination. With humility, penitence, gratitude, and hope, we follow you again to the cross and all that waits beyond. Amen.

"Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works.
If you see a poor man, take pity on him.
If you see a friend being honoured, do not envy him.

Do not let only your mouth fast, but also the eye and the ear
and the feet and the hands and all the members of our bodies.

Let the hands fast, by being free of avarice.
Let the feet fast, by ceasing to run after sin.
Let the eyes fast, by disciplining them not to glare at that
which is sinful.
Let the ear fast, by not listening to evil talk and gossip.
Let the mouth fast from foul words and unjust criticism.

For what good is it if we abstain from birds and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers?

May He who came to the world to save sinners, strengthen us to complete the fast with humility, have mercy on us and save us."

Amen.

:: There are many examples around us of what it means to live in a manner worthy of a calling.

• A policeman - when he works is supposed to be an example of the Law.
  He lives worthy of his profession. He defends and upholds the Law.
• A doctor - is supposed to live worthy of his profession.
  He heals the sick. He cares for those who are ill and seeks to make them well.
• A farmer - tills the soil and produces food for thousands. He is called to this task and is gifted to accomplish it.
• As a Christian- there are marks of what it means to live a life of worthy the calling.

:: Peter gave an exhortation with 5 parts and the reason for them.

• Prepare your minds for action
  - Obedience is a conscious act of the will. Christians in conflict need a tough-minded holiness that is ready for action.
• Be self-controlled
  - Believers should be directed from within, not from without by lusts, temptations, desires, etc.
• Set your hope on the grace to be brought to you at the return of Jesus
  - The hope is that at the return of Jesus you will be raised in new, sinless bodies.
• Do not conform to your former evil desires you had in ignorance
  - Do not return to the evil ways of your past when you did not know the truth.
• Be holy
  - That is, mold your character to be conformed to the holiness of God the Father.
  - Your lifestyle should reflect this holiness.
  - Your desire should be to be holy before God and the world in thought, word, and deed.
  - Your prayers should request the strength to live a holy life.
  - Though absolute holiness can never be achieved in this life, all areas of life should be in the process of becoming completely conformed to God's perfect and holy will.
• The reason: Because God is holy.
  He is the standard of righteousness, of holiness, of perfection, of beauty
  - Therefore, you should live your lives with the understanding that:
  
  • You will answer to God
  • You have a calling on your life to honor God
  • You are to be holy in your life
  • You are to willingly submit to God's will

Amen.

A king with authority – equal status, can make a covenant
A servant cannot make a covenant with his master but master with his servant
But God makes a covenant – something out of the ordinary

A Solemn Agreement
A solemn agreement, such as the pact between Jacob and Laban (Gen. 31:44). God’s love and grace are shown in the readiness to make covenants with people. When God promised Noah that he would not again destroy the world with a flood, he made a covenant with him (Gen. 6:18; 9:9-17). A very important covenant existed between God and Israel (Exod. 24:1-8), which is pictured in the book of Hebrews as the “old covenant.” When the people repeatedly broke that covenant, God promised a new covenant based on forgiveness and the writing of his law on people’s hearts (Jer. 31:31-34). Jesus inaugurated this new covenant with his blood (Mark 14:24; 1 Cor. 11:25).

Covenant involves Relationship
Covenant involves Promise
Covenant involves Faithfulness

Covenant Not Contract
In modern times we define a host of relations by contracts. These are usually for goods or services and for hard cash. The contract, formal or informal, helps to specify failure in these relationships.
The Lord did not establish a contract with Israel or with the church. He created a covenant. There is a difference. Contacts are broken when one of the parties fails to keep his promise. If, let us say, a patient fails to keep an appointment with a doctor, the doctor is not obligated to call the house and inquire, “Where were you? Why didn’t you show up for your appointment?” He simply goes on to his next patient and has his appointment secretary take note of the patient who failed to keep the appointment. The patient may find it harder the next time to see the doctor. He broke an informal contract.
According to the Bible, however, the Lord asks: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isa. 49:15)
The Bible indicates the covenant is more like the ties of a parent to her child than it is a doctor’s appointment. If a child fails to show up for dinner, the parent’s obligation, unlike the doctor’s, isn’t canceled. The parent finds out where the child is and makes sure he’s cared for. One member’s failure does not destroy the relationship. A covenant puts no conditions on faithfulness. It is the unconditional commitment to love and serve.
Jesus has established a new covenant with us. The signs of this new relationship is His Body and His Blood which we share whenever we meet at His table. As we partake we renew our covenant with Him and we need to live in this world as Jesus lived and served people in need. Un worthy as we are, Jesus makes us worthy instruments in His hands to partake and to be peace makers in this uncertain world.

Amen.

An old man, probably some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the park bench. He didn't move, just sat with his head down staring at his hands. When I sat down beside him he didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if he was ok. Finally, not really wanting to disturb him but wanting to check on him at the same time, I asked him if he was ok. He raised his head and looked at me and smiled.
Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking, he said in a clear strong voice.
I didn't mean to disturb you, sir, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were ok I explained to him.

Have you ever looked at your hands he asked? I mean really looked at your hands?

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point he was making.

Then he smiled and related this story:
Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.
They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They dried the tears of my children and caressed the love of my life.
They held my rifle and wiped my tears when I went off to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle. Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my buddy out of a foxhole and lifted a plow off of my best friends foot. They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of my life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And He won't care about where these hands have been or what they have done. What He will care about is to whom these hands belong and how much He loves these hands. And with these hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.

No doubt I will never look at my hands the same again. I never saw the old man again after I left the park that day but I will never forget him and the words he spoke. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and wife I think of the man in the park. I have a feeling he has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel his hands upon my face.

Thank you, Father God, for hands.

God became a man because he loves us.
He became a man so that he could show us the way to Him.

There once was a farmer.
One winter evening, just before dark, he heard something hit the bay window in the dining room. He went to investigate and saw a small bird flying into the window repeatedly. Farther out in the yard he saw a whole flock of little songbirds. He realized that these were birds migrating south and they had been caught by an early snowfall. They were cold and scratching through the thin snow in search of food. The one bird had seen the light and had tried to get into the house where it was warm. The farmer had an idea: He had a large barn where the birds would be safe and warm and there was plenty of hay on the floor so they could find seed. He put on his coat to go out and open the barn doors. He did… but the birds did not come in. He turned on a light hoping that would attract them. No luck. He sprinkled seed on the ground to make a path for them to follow. They ate some but did not come close to the barn. Fearing for their safety, he decided to take more drastic measures. He planned to circle around behind the flock and chase them into the barn. THAT WAS A REAL FLOP! After running himself ragged, he dropped to his knees on the snow. Finally a thought hit him--- "If only I were a bird. Then I could tell them about the warm barn and the seed. I could save their lives." - 

That’s what Christmas is: Jesus becoming one of us so that we can understand God’s plan. Jesus becoming one of us so that he can tell us where to find safety. Jesus becoming one of us so that he can save us. In Christmas – God becoming man – we get to experience genuine love. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 (NIV)
Amen. 

What this All Saint’s Sunday is about - to set aside a day each year to remember and to thank God for all those saints down through the ages, whose names may not be recorded in the church history books, but whose names are certainly written in the Book of Life, and whose names and faces are recorded in our hearts and our memories.

Some of them are long gone and long forgotten, others are more recently departed whom we remember today, and some of them are still alive and still play a part in our lives.

But the one thing that all these saints have in common is their love for the Lord, and their willingness to allow the Lord to use them in reaching out to and ministering to others, allowing the grace, love, compassion, and generosity of God to shine through them and flow out from them to us and to those around us.
But on this All Saints’ Sunday, as we remember the special people in our lives, the question that we must face is, “Will anyone remember me? Will 1 be remembered with fondness and gratitude and thanksgiving on some All Saints’ Day 10, 20, 40 years from now?”
What makes the difference in how we remember someone?
One of the keys is found in our Gospel reading for today where Jesus begins the Sermon of the Mount with the familiar Beatitudes.
Who are the blessed ones?
Who are the ones that Jesus holds up as the example and model for us? What are those admirable characteristics displayed in Jesus’ own life?

Jesus tells us:
• Blessed are the poor in spirit
Blessed are those who feel the weight of the world’s suffering,
• Blessed are the humble,
• Blessed are those who hunger and long for what is right and good, Blessed
are those who show mercy and compassion,
• Blessed are the ones who are pure in heart, who don’t have any room for
bitterness or anger or avarice,Blessed are those who work for peace and reconciliation
in the home,  the church, the community,
• Blessed are those who are willing to accept the ridicule and derision of
others in order to stand up for what is right and good as a disciple of
Jesus Christ.
The people that I remember, the saints in my life, were people like that! And I suspect that the people that you remember on this All Saints’ Sunday share those same qualities and characteristics.

Doesn’t it seem to make sense that if we want to be remembered in the same way that we remember with gratitude and thanksgiving the saints in our lives, and then we need to be developing those same traits and qualities and characteristics that Jesus holds out before us today?

We are called to be loving, kind, compassionate, generous, faithful people. This is the way God created us to be, and when we are anything less than that, we diminish our own lives, and we diminish the lives of those around us.

But when we live according to God’s will, we end up experiencing life to its fullest, and
we bring joy and happiness to those around us. And those are the kind of people that we remember!
All I’m asking is, “How do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be remembered
in the same way that we remember those special saints in our own lives? Well then,
begin living today in a way that puts into practice what Jesus teaches, in a way the follows the example of those special people in our lives.
Let love, compassion, mercy, peace, humility, generosity, graciousness characterize your life.  Take a serious look at yourself and see if you are becoming the person you want to be, the person God made you to be.  Strive for the qualities that you admire and respect in others so that you, too, might be numbered among the saints that we honor and thank God for today.  Amen.

Have you considered how often we use the word THANK YOU

• Programme ends  <>       vote of thanks
• At the completion of Shopping <>   thanks for patronizing us
• Guests when they leave <>   thanks for coming

THANK YOU IN ORDINARY TERMS CAN SERVE AS A GRACEFUL WAY OF BRINGING OUR CONVERSATION or an activity TO COMPLETION. 
Encounter is complete.

        * Harvest  Festival

       * First is a celebration of thanksgiving for God’s Goodness

      * Second our wiliness to share the bounty which we received thro God’s goodness
      * Thirdly it points forward to the great Harvest of the end times when Christ will
        gather all things to Himself

Deuteronomy 26:
Gives a detailed instructions as to how they should celebrate the festival of the first fruits.
First fruits gather and offer them to the Lord
There were some specific things they were supposed to do
It is more of thanks – to remember and give thanks for their whole history as people
They Thanked God for the very existence as people
They thanked God for God’s great faithfulness for all the generations

Harvest is recognition of God’s care for us and it is fundamentally an expression of continuing trust in God

Interaction and interdependence of human and divine forces.
Harvest fruits become a dramatic symbol of the partnership between God who created
and maintains the good earth and people who work together.

Giving Thanks in all circumstances
Giving thanks for everything
Giving thanks at all times

So our life should become thanks living
Thanksgiving is both an attitude and response
Both faith and works 
Faith with out works is dead
Thanks without giving is no thanks at all.

In Christian living it is not an end of conversation or an activity but only a beginning.

These are the stories, shared around the thanksgiving table
This will help to transcend our immediate circumstances

Illustration:
Martin Rink art,German Pastor in 1636 is said to have buried 5000 of his
parishners in one year , on an average of 15 a day. His pariah was ravaged by war,
death, economic disaster. In the heart of that darkness, with the cries of fear outside
his window, he sat and wrote this table of grace for his children.  
Now thank we all our God.
This man who knew thanksgiving comes from an awareness of the deep abiding
love of God, not simply from our immediate circumstances.

Illustration :

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We
walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels
My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the
Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received."   
I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels
sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from
people all over the world. 
Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.
The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section.
Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and
delivered to the living persons who asked for them." 
I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard
at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being
packaged for delivery to Earth. 
Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of
a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated
there, idly doing nothing. 
"This is the Aknowledgment Section," my angel friend quietly admitted to
me. He seemed embarrassed "How is it that? There's no work going on here?"
I asked. 
"So sad," the angel sighed. "After people receive the blessings that they
asked for, very few send back acknowledgments.   
How does one acknowledge God's blessings?" I asked. 
"Simple," the angel answered. "Just say, "Thank you, God." 
What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked. 
"If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. "If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.   
"And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the
world who has that opportunity."   
Also..... 
"If you woke up this morning with more health than illness .... you are
more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day.
"If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment,
the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation .. You are ahead of 700 million
people in the world. 
"If you can attend a prayer meeting without the fear of harassment, arrest,
torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion
people in the world. 

Thank You God! Thank you God, for giving me so many wonderful people
to share it with"

Psalm 13  

  IT'S YOUR MOVE     
                                         
How long? How long? How long? How long!  You can hear the frustration and the strain of life in the voice of the one who is asking God, "How long O Lord?" 
David had been the hero to which many sang his praises after defeating Goliath of Gath.  But that was yesterday and David was now fleeing from the jealous attacks of King Saul.  He was now on the run from what seemed to him to be the relentless pursuit on his life.  The victory that was once in his step was gone as he slipped into a discouraged and defeatist attitude.  Most of us have walked where David walked

"But man's extremity is God's opportunity." - 

When we think all is finished God has just started.  Sometimes it is in our days of disparaging that God works best in our lives. 
We want God to do something with our "situation" when God wants to do something about "ourselves."  We want God to take away the "complications" when God wants to develop "character" in us.  We want God to change our "circumstances” when God wants to change "us."  We want God to move in our behalf, but in this Psalm we can hear God saying, "It's your move!"
1. Moved Away From God . . . vs. 1-2
1a. Moved to Believe God has Forgotten & Forsaken 
David felt abandoned by God.  He reasoned that if God cared why in his hour of need would He be so silent? We might say, "God has lost interest in me!" 
1b. Moved to Self-Help
David was forgetting and forsaking God's purpose (counsel = advise, plan purpose) for his life.  God had already anointed him as the next King of Israel (1 Samuel 16).  God was not about to give up on David! 
"Saul's going to win if I don't do something!  It's apparent God is not going to do anything, so I better think of something to do."  David was making his own plans to succeed! 
1c. Don't Move Away From God!
2. Moved Toward God . . . vs. 3-4
Something happened in David's life that turned him from crying out unrestrained thoughts of uncertainty to praying the supplications of "consider me and open my eyes."  Some have suggested that David reread what he had already penned in verse one and two and realized they were filled with self-pity.  Feeling sorry for yourself gets you no where!  David for whatever reason began to move back toward God. From the ditches of despair David looks up to recognize that his Lord and God is eternal and supremely all powerful. 
2a. Hear Me God
Psalm 13:3a Consider and hear me, O LORD my God;
From the recognition of God David ceased his complaining and asked God to look at him and hear him.  Take note that David had moved back to know that God had not forsaken him and He did care.  True and honest prayer always moves us closer to God.  David later penned these words. 
Psalms 34:17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.
2b. Show Me God
David continues in his supplication (crying out) to ask God to open his eyes to see the work God was doing in and around him.  "Show me God" had now become his cry in humility, rather than the arrogance of "I'll show you!"
David was not only coming to his spiritual senses he was gaining his spiritual sight. 
I am led to the story of Elisha and the circumstances he found himself in.  The Syrian army had surrounded the city of Dothan to do away with the prophet Elisha.  When Elisha's servant saw he army he was alarmed and afraid.  But Elisha assured him that those who were with them were more than those who were with the Syrians.  And then he prayed asking for the young man's eyes to be opened. 
2 Kings 6:17  And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Isn't that what you and I need?  Spiritual sight to see our circumstances and complications in the bigger picture as God sees them.  As David prayed for God to show him he began to see that God was aware and in control . . . of the circumstances he found himself in. 
3. Moved By God . . . vs. 5-6
In moments of discouragement and despair the word "but" is often used to state a negative response.  However David's words were not filled with the "Yeah buts" of discouragement, but with trusting, rejoicing and singing.  David was moved by God to proclaim the praises of his God. 
3a. Moved to Trust God's Mercy
Psalm 13:5a  But I have trusted in Your mercy;
David moved from tantrum to trusting as he found refuge in God's mercy. 
3b. Moved to Rejoicing in God's Salvation
3c. Moved to Sing a New Song
Conclusion:
This psalm teaches us to . . .
1. Move out of self pity and move toward trusting God.
2. Move out of complaining about our circumstances and
move to praying about them.
3. Move from rejection of God's Word to rejoicing in His
Word.
This psalm says "It's your move!"
Amen!

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened - everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.

"God, how could you do this to me?" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man to his
Rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It's easy to get discouraged sometimes when things appear to be going badly. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

 For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves,
 God has a positive answer for it.

You say, "It's impossible".
God says: "All thing are possible". (Luke 18:27)
You say, "I'm too tired."
God says: "I will give you rest". (Matt 11:28-20)
You say, "Nobody really loves me".
God says: "I love you". (John 3:16 - John 13:34)
You say, "I can't go on."
God says: "My grace is sufficient." (II Cor. 12:9 - Psalm 91:15)
You say, "I can't figure things out."
God says: "I will direct your steps." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say, "I can't do it."
God says: "You can do all things in Me." (Phil 4:13)
You say, "I can't forgive myself."
God says: "I forgive you." (I John 1:9 - Romans 8:1)
You say, "I can't manage."
God says: "I will supply all your needs." (Phil 4:19)
You say, "I'm afraid."
God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear." (II Tim. 1:7)
You say, "I'm always worried and frustrated".
God says: "Cast all your cares on ME" (I Peter 5:7)
You say, "I don't have enough faith."
God says: "I've given everyone a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
You say, "I'm not smart enough."
God says: "I give you wisdom." (I Cor. 1:30)
You say, "I feel all alone."
God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Heb. 13:5)

 May God help you to be a blessing.
***********************************************************************************

Whenever God calls, obey
Whenever God promises, believe
Whenever God tests, trust
Whenever God blesses, share
Whenever God burdens, pray

RESTORATION AND REDEMPTION
ISAIAH 44            MATT 8:
Revelation – the Bible is the inspired word of God revealing man’s origin and his fall with all the consequences of sin. But it also tells God's love for humanity and how he restores His creation.
Restoration – "To restore in man the image of his maker, to bring him back to the perfection in which he was created, to promote the development of body, mind, and soul, that the divine purpose in this creation might be realized – this was to be the work of redemption. This is the object of education, the great object of life."
Redemption – The school joins the family and the church in leading children to Christ. Morning worship, Bible and the other classes encourage each student to make his/her decision to choose Jesus, the One who has made redemption sure.
A gathering of friends at an English estate nearly turned to tragedy when one of the children strayed into deep water. The gardener heard the cries for help, plunged in, and rescued the drowning child. That youngster's name was Winston Churchill. His grateful parents asked the gardener what they could do to reward him. He hesitated, then said, "I wish my son could go to college someday and become a doctor." "We'll see to it," Churchill's parents promised.
Years later, while Sir Winston was prime minister of England, he was stricken with pneumonia. The country's best physician was summoned. His name was Dr. Alexander Fleming, the man who discovered and developed penicillin. He was also the son of that gardener who had saved young Winston from drowning. Later Churchill remarked, "Rarely has one man owed his life twice to the same person."
Ill. In his book Written in Blood, Robert Coleman tells the story of a little boy whose sister needed a blood transfusion. The doctor explained that she had the same disease the boy had recovered from two years earlier. Her only chance for recovery was a transfusion from someone who had previously conquered the disease. Since the two children had the same rare blood type, the boy was the ideal donor.
"Would you give your blood to Mary?" the doctor asked. Johnny hesitated. His lower lip started to tremble. Then he smiled and said, "Sure, for my sister." Soon the two children were wheeled into the hospital room--Mary, pale and thin; Johnny, robust and healthy. Neither spoke, but when their eyes met, Johnny grinned. As the nurse inserted the needle into his arm, Johnny's smile faded. He watched the blood flow through the tube.
With the ordeal almost over, his voice, slightly shaky, broke the silence. "Doctor, when do I die?'
Only then did the doctor realize why Johnny had hesitated, why his lip had trembled when he'd agreed to donate his blood. He's thought giving his blood to his sister meant giving up his life. In that brief moment, he'd made his great decision. Johnny, fortunately, didn't have to die to save his sister. Each of us, however, has a condition more serious than Mary's, and it required Jesus to give not just His blood but His life.
God is working out through the power of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Church a glorious agenda both for His elect and for His creation. These are the things we can expect to see. What are the ramifications for us today of cosmic redemption?
It means we have a balanced view of both the spiritual and the material. As we grow in sanctification, this holiness does not remain a merely invisible, spiritual reality, rather it takes on physical expressions. Scripture lays stress on this world, as well as the next. Man is not saved by being delivered out of his environment. Salvation does not rescue us from the material world, but from sin, and from the effects of the Curse.
Furthermore, it means that we must have a practical concern for the environment. We don't worship God's creation.
So today we celebrate our inclusiveness, our wholeness, our catholicity. We gather around the Table together, children of the kingdom. We rejoice to be with one another. We pray for the church, holy and always in need of reform. We share the broken body and the blood poured out for the life of the world. We gather around the Table of the Lord of Life that much more alive because we have each other and that much more delighted with each other’s company.
The redeemed are dependent of God for all. All that we have-- wisdom, the pardon of sin, deliverance, acceptance in God's favor, grace, holiness, true comfort and happiness, eternal life and glory--we have from God by a Mediator; and this Mediator is God. God not only gives us the Mediator, and accepts His mediation, and of His power and grace bestows the things purchased by the Mediator, but He is the Mediator. Our blessings are what we have by purchase; and the purchase is made of God; the blessings are purchased of Him; and not only so, but God is the purchaser. Yes, God is both the purchaser and the price; for Christ, who is God, purchased these blessings by offering Himself as the price of our salvation.
Amen.

Psalm 11

SEEK THE PRINCIPLES OF GOD.
SEEK THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
SEEK THE PURITY OF GOD.

v.1 "In the LORD put I my trust" - Fundamental teaching of Christianity. Many Christians know this truth only in reference to trusting the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior from the penalty of sin and hell - and thereafter struggle by their own strength to live good Christian lives but fail miserably.

"Flee as the bird to your mountain" - Birds are timid and defenseless and flee at the first sip of danger to their hide-away.…" Most Christians flee at the first sign of duty, delay, deficiency, difficulty or danger.
v.2 "the wicked" - In the Psalms "the wicked" are those who try to live apart from God and "the righteous" are those who live dependent on God. "bend their bow, they make ready their arrow ... shoot at the upright" "privily shoot" - literally: shot in darkness. Many doubts come unsuspectingly from friends and loved ones.
v.3 "If the foundations be destroyed' - The word "foundations" is plural and therefore cannot refer to God. It probably refers to God's promises - which are the "foundations" on which our faith stands. When we doubt God's presence, power and faithfulness to fulfill His promises in our lives, then we will doubt that the Gospel is "the power of God unto salvation"
v.4 "The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven" - God is always in His Holy Temple and always on the Throne of Grace and we can always approach Him through our Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ. Unlike other "gods" who are found in earthly temples, His Throne is in heaven. He alone is God!

"his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men" - God is omniscient (ie, all-knowing) and does not "slumber or sleep" (Psalm 121:3,4). God focuses His eyes on each of us (ie, "his eyelids try"). This describes the fact that God watches over us individually and carefully.

v.5 "The LORD trieth the rigthteous" - God often tests (ie, "trieth") our faith. Testing is an important part of life because it reveals to us our true state and humbles us. Failure to know this fact of life causes much discouragement among Christians (Psalm 42:5,11).

"but the wicked …his soul hateth" - The contrast between the first part of this verse and the second, tells us that God's testing of our faith, though painful, is proof of God's love not His hatred.

v.6 "Upon the wicked... a horrible tempest" - The "wicked" who refuse to trust in God shall have miserably troubled lives because they have committed "the great transgression," the "presumptuous sin" that often has "dominion over" us (Psalm 19:13).

v.7 "For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness" - The most righteous (ie, right) thing to do is to depend on God. Few Christians realize this and reduce righteous living to a set of rules (eg. right hairstyle, clothes).

"his countenance doth behold the upright" - The life of God-dependence is the life of abundance (John 10:10, Psalms 27:13, 31:19,34, 68:19) and a life of joy (Psalms 32:1,33:21, 51:12, 16:11). "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him" (Psalm 34:8) "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11).

Illustration:
Grace, Salvation , What a Savior!

A beggar stopped a lawyer on the street in a large southern city and asked him for a quarter. Taking a long, hard look into the man's unshaven face, the attorney asked, "Don't I know you from somewhere?" "You should," came the reply. "I'm your former classmate. Remember, second floor, old Main Hall?" "Why Sam, of course I know you!" Without further question the lawyer wrote a check for $100. "Here, take this and get a new start. I don't care what's happened in the past, it's the future that counts." And with that he hurried on.
Tears welled up in the man's eyes as he walked to a bank nearby. Stopping at the door, he saw through the glass well-dressed tellers and the spotlessly clean interior. Then he looked at his filthy rags. "They won't take this from me. They'll swear that I forged it,
he muttered as he turned away.
The next day the two men met again. "Why Sam, what did you do with my check? Gamble it away? Drink it up?" "No," said the beggar as he pulled it out of his dirty shirt pocket and told why he hadn't cashed it. "Listen, friend," said the lawyer. "What makes that check good is not your clothes or appearance, but my signature. Go on, cash it!"

The Bible says, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
That promise is a "negotiable note" of infinite value. And as sinners, all we need to do is "exchange" it by faith for eternal life.

Don't let the "tattered clothes" of your past keep you from

cashing God's "check" of salvation.

May God bless you.

Verse:

“Happy are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

One of the most popular words on the lips of politicians, newscasters and ordinary people these days is the word PEACE. Second only to the word love or sex, this word peace is on virtually everyone's lips. People long for peace. We have Peace Marches, Peace Conferences, Peace Processes, Peace Talks, Peace Agreements: but still there is no peace in the world. People also long for:
• Peace of Mind
• Peace in the Home
• Peace at Work
• Peace in the Community
• Peace in the Nation & between Nations
• World Peace...
Man's Achievements
Man has climbed the world's highest mountains: plumbed the deepest oceans: penetrated earth's densest forests and caves: unlocked the secrets of the atom and even walked on the moon. But we are unable to produce peace on earth. Why is this? We can store vast amounts of information on tiny silicon chips:
PEACE IS A SPIRITUAL PRODUCT

But, you will say, surely God wants people to live in peace. Yes, God wants every soul on earth and entire nations to be at peace. But there are three lessons we must learn first:
1. The first is: Peace is a spiritual fruit, a divine product.
    It is made in heaven by God Himself. That is the first fact.
2. The second is: Man is no more able to produce peace than he can
     produce a tree, an apple, an orange, a grape or a bird.
3. The third is: If we want peace we must work in harmony with the
     Creator's laws:
just as every gardener and horticulturist does. We must work to existing divine principles. We must learn to obey God's commandments. Break His commandments and they will break you. This is summarised in the verse which says:
Gal:5: 22: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, PEACE, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith...:
In short, if you want peace you must tune in to the LORD God of Israel, the Creator of the mighty universe. That is the first step we must take if real peace is to be obtained. Refusal to take it is a sure recipe for war!
Isa:27: 5: Or let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me; and he shall make peace with me.
When you accept Yahweh's offer of mercy and salvation, He gives you His Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Peace. Unless we acknowledge these facts: that peace cometh from the LORD of heaven and earth, that peace is a spiritual product which mankind is not able to produce, real peace will never be ours.
Jesus said, “Happy are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

Illustration:
In his younger days, Saint Francis of Assisi was a real rebel rouser, a free spirit in every way. But in his twenties, Francis gave his heart to God, and dedicated himself to a life of prayer and serving the poor. He renounced his father’s wealth and turned to a simple life guided by the life of Christ. In the midst of his transformation, he offered his now familiar prayer.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Dear friends, You and I are called by Jesus to be makers of peace.
To bring peace to a troubled world is to bring love and understanding to
those around us, and to help people cooperate and work together.

May God bless you. Amen

ILLUSTRATION
There is a neat little acrostic often used in computer-speak: GIGO. It stands for "Garbage In, Garbage Out." Obviously it means that when you put garbage into the computer as input, what you will get out of the computer is garbage as well. It assumes something that, while it is true for computers, is not true for humans. It assumes that the computer has a clean and neutral environment. If that is, in fact, the case, then when you put good programming in, you get good programming out. And when you put garbage in, you get garbage out. But for humans, that does not hold true. In fact, we can reverse this little acrostic and say, "GOGI," which stands for, Garbage out means garbage in. In other words, when you see garbage coming out of a human life, it means that garbage was already in that life. This is what Jesus is saying. What is inside of a human eventually comes out. If there are sinful attitudes, they will eventually manifest themselves in sinful actions. The problem with man, however, is that those sinful attitudes are there from birth. Because of the fall of Adam, we all inherited a sinful inclination. Our natures are sinful. And that sin nature must be replaced by a spiritual nature. We are not merely the product of our environment. We do not start with a clean slate. Therefore, it is important for us to understand that what is really important is who we really are on the inside. When we get our inside right, the outward behavior will be right as well. But the difference will be that what we do then externally will reflect what we are internally. We will not simply be acting like we are Christians. We will be living like we are Christians.